Description
Pituitary tumours are relatively small benign lesions. They can, however, be locally highly aggressive, producing local pressure effects in addition to endocrine dysfunction. Occassionally, their intractable growth is fatal. Despite the large amount of work that has been undertaken, an understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in pituitary neoplasia remains superficial. Abnormalities in oncogenes, potential tumour suppressor genes, growth factors and locally produced autocrine and paracrine factors have all been described. The relevence of these changes as primary aetiological effectors of tumour pathogenesis and function remain unclear.
